Saudi Arabia plans major offensive against Houthis

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Pakistan, Turkey supporting Riyadh with military equipment, no reported decision to take direct combat role

Saudi Arabia is preparing a major military offensive against Houthi forces in Yemen, with more than 100,000 Yemeni personnel potentially mobilised for the operation, according to Reuters and US officials cited by Axios. The campaign could begin within weeks, although reports differ on the exact timing.

The planned operation would see Yemeni ground forces conduct the main combat operations while Saudi Arabia provides air support. The immediate focus is reportedly on reversing recent Houthi advances along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and regaining control around the strategically important Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

According to Reuters, Saudi officials are considering two possible approaches. The first is a limited operation focused on areas surrounding Bab al-Mandeb, while the second would involve coordinated attacks on several fronts across Al-Bayda, Marib, Taiz and Al-Jawf.

The scale of the offensive would determine the number of Yemeni forces deployed, with officials telling Reuters that more than 100,000 personnel could be mobilised.

The precise launch date remains uncertain. Sources cited by Reuters gave estimates ranging from within a week to a period after the US midterm elections in early November, while other reporting put the operation in the coming weeks.

A key objective of the planned offensive is to reverse Houthi gains made last month, when the group advanced along Yemen’s coast and seized control of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, according to people familiar with the preparations.

Bab al-Mandeb is the southern gateway of the Red Sea and a major maritime route connecting shipping between Asia and the Mediterranean. Its strategic importance has increased amid the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the wider Iran conflict.

Western diplomats and a Gulf official cited by Reuters said Riyadh believes renewed peace negotiations with the Houthis are difficult while the group retains control of Bab al-Mandeb and the leverage associated with the waterway.

The planned offensive would be led on the ground by forces loyal to Yemen’s internationally recognised government and overseen by Riyadh, while Saudi aircraft would provide air cover and conduct strikes, according to Reuters.

Saudi Arabia entered Yemen’s civil war in 2015 at the head of an Arab coalition supporting the internationally recognised government after the Houthis seized Sanaa. A truce reached in 2022 largely held until renewed fighting and Houthi missile and drone attacks this year.

The renewed confrontation has also followed Houthi advances toward the Red Sea coast and attacks involving Saudi shipping and energy infrastructure.

Washington is supporting Saudi operations with military advisers, intelligence and targeting information, but direct US combat involvement is not currently expected, according to Reuters and Axios.

A US official told Axios that the US is “not going to take kinetic action for now.” The report said Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman spoke with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday, briefing him on the planned operation and again requesting US airstrikes against Houthi targets.

US officials said Washington’s military support is focused on assistance short of direct combat. According to Axios, US forces provided Saudi Arabia with more than 200 Houthi targets during the previous two weeks, with the strikes described by a US official as having increased pressure on the group.

The US position follows earlier requests from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for direct American military action. President Donald Trump considered ordering strikes against the Houthis in September but ultimately decided against doing so at that time.

Pakistan and Turkey are also supporting Saudi Arabia with military equipment, although there is no reported decision for either country to take a direct combat role in Yemen.

According to Pakistani and regional officials cited by Reuters, Pakistan sent four cargo aircraft to Aden last month carrying air-defence systems, light artillery, drones and counter-drone systems. Pakistani military advisers are also reportedly working alongside Saudi counterparts to support Yemeni forces.

Turkish drones previously purchased by Saudi Arabia have also reportedly been deployed over Yemen, according to the officials cited by Reuters.

One of Riyadh’s major concerns is protecting its oil facilities and other critical infrastructure from potential Houthi missile and drone attacks during a new offensive.

Regional officials said Saudi Arabia has asked several allies for assistance with defensive systems. France has also announced plans to send defensive systems and troops to Saudi Arabia to help protect the Red Sea port city of Yanbu.

The planned operation comes amid a sharp escalation in fighting between Saudi-backed Yemeni forces and the Houthis. Reuters reported separately that Yemen’s internationally recognised government said its forces conducted 20 airstrikes against Houthi personnel, movements, vehicles and military equipment in Taiz province within three hours on October 2.

The renewed fighting has raised concerns over both Yemen’s security situation and maritime traffic through Bab al-Mandeb, particularly as the wider regional conflict has already disrupted another major energy route, the Strait of Hormuz.

At the same time, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are scheduled to discuss the escalating Houthi conflict at an emergency meeting in Riyadh next week, according to Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The meeting will also consider an Iranian suggestion for political engagement with the Houthis as an alternative to further military escalation.

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